Hinged-lid cigarette boxes with fold-in locks to facilitate consistent lid closure

Abstract: A pack 300 has two retention tabs (D5) (D6) formed of the inner side wall panels of the lid (500). The retention tabs extend from the bottom edge of the lid. When the tabs are folded into the operational position, they function to help keep the lid closed by providing additional interference between the lid and the innerframe (200). The retention tabs can be folded into the operational position by the manufacturer. Alternatively the pack can be provided to the consumer with the tabs in the non-operational position leaving to the individual consumer's discretion the decision to fold them into the operational position.

Description: Background of the Invention This invention relates to hinged-lid cigarette packs, and more particularly to hinged-lid cigarette boxes having reduced vertical edges. Hinged-lid cigarette boxes are well known. One of the most popular forms of such boxes has an outer member which includes a lower main portion, in which the cigarettes stand vertically, and a lid. The lid is often (although not always) hinged to the back of the main portion so that the upper ends of the cigarettes are exposed when the lid is hinged back. Although such boxes are usually formed with right-angled vertical edges, the vertical edges may be rounded or radiused. Such boxes typically have an innerframe inside the main portion which extends up from the main portion into the space covered by the lid in the closed position. One important function of the innerframe is to provide some interference with the lid as it opens and closes. This interference helps to keep the lid firmly and neatly closed and reduces the risk that the lid will open accidentally. However, for the most part, the innerframe provides such interference only once the lid has opened beyond a certain point. The innerframe does not always provide interference initially. Hence the lid may not always remain completely closed with the bottom edges of the lid resting directly on the top edges of the lower main portion of the box. It is desirable for the lid to remain completely closed for the sake of appearance and neatness (e.g. so that any loose tobacco remains within the box) without damaging the contents of the box. The provision of retention means which retain the lid in a completely closed position has previously been accomplished through the use of means such as a tab member extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of a wall of the innerframe, thereby interfering with the lid member. Such a tab member is generally formed from the standard innerframe blank such that when the tab is extended perpendicular to a wall, a cutout area remains where the tab originally had been. Furthermore such retention means are generally formed at the front right-angled vertical edges of the innerframe. In the case of a box with rounded or radiused vertical edges, the vertical edges are rounded or radiused by multiple scoring of the blank and the additional formation of such retention means may be difficult or impossible. EP-A-0 507 112 discloses a rounded corner pack with an inner frame. The edges of the inner frame may be provided with protrusions which engage with the flared out hinged lid. It would be desirable to be able to provide a retention means formed from a standard blank, i.e. which does not require a deviation from the standard shape of a blank, yet does not leave a visible cut-out area once it is moved into retaining position. It would further be desirable to be able to provide a retention means which does not alter the appearance of the cigarette box after multiple openings and closings of the cigarette box. It would still further be desirable to be able to provide a retention means which is not formed at the vertical edges of the innerframe to facilitate formation of such retention members on boxes with rounded or radiused vertical edges. According to the invention there is provided a pack for cigarettes comprising: a lower main portion; an inner frame partly inside at least an upper portion of the lower main portion, at least a portion of the inner frame extending above the lower main portion; and a lid, at least one of the inner frame and the lid including retention means for providing interference between the outer surface of the inner frame and the inner surface of the lid to substantially prevent the lid from inadvertently opening to any degree, characterised in that the retention means comprises at least one tab depending from a bottom edge of one of the right side wall and the left side wall of the lid; the tab can be folded about a hinge-line forming the said bottom edge; and the folded tab is substantially adjacent to the inner surface of one of the front wall, the rear wall, the right side wall and the left side wall of the lid, whereby, when the lid is closed, the tab causes frictional engagement between the lid and the inner frame. The invention also provides a blank for forming a hinged lid cigarette box according to claim 1 comprising: a lid front wall reinforcement panel; a lid front wall panel pivotably attached to the lid front wall reinforcement panel; a lid top cover panel pivotably attached to the lid front wall panel; a lid rear wall panel pivotably attached to the lid top cover panel; a main rear wall panel pivotably attached to the lid rear wall panel; a bottom cover panel pivotably attached to the main rear wall panel; a main front wall panel pivotably attached to the bottom cover panel; a left outer main side wall panel foldably attached to the main front wall panel; a right outer main side wall panel foldably attached to the main front wall panel; a left inner main side wall panel foldably attached to the main rear wall panel and having a top and a bottom edge; a right inner main side wall panel foldably attached to the main rear wall panel and having a top and a bottom edge; a left inner lid side wall panel foldably attached to the lid rear wall panel and having a top and a bottom edge; a right inner lid side wall panel foldably attached to the lid rear wall panel and having a top and a bottom edge; a left outer lid side wall panel foldably attached to the lid front wall panel; a right outer lid side wall panel foldably attached to the lid front wall panel; a left bottom flap panel pivotably attached to the bottom edge of the left inner main side wall panel; a right bottom flap panel pivotably attached to the bottom edge of the right inner main side wall panel; a left lid flap panel pivotably attached to the top edge of the left inner lid side wall panel; and a right lid flap panel pivotably attached to the top edge of the right inner lid side wall panel; a left retention tab pivotably attached to the bottom edge of the left inner lid side wall panel and formed by cutting out a portion of the left inner main side wall panel; and a right retention tab pivotably attached to the bottom edge of the right inner lid side wall panel and formed by cutting out a portion of the right inner main side wall panel; wherein: the left retention tab, when folded, is parallel to and abutted against the left inner lid side wall panel; the right retention tab, when folded, is parallel to and abutted against the right inner lid side wall panel; whereby the blank is capable of being folded into a three-dimensional configuration such that: the left inner main side wall panel is perpendicular to the main rear wall panel and to the main front wall panel and parallel to and secured to the left outer main side wall panel; the right inner main side wall panel is perpendicular to the main rear wall panel and to the main front wall panel and parallel to and secured to the right outer main side wall panel; the bottom cover panel is perpendicular to the main front wall panel, the main rear wall panel, the left inner main side wall panel and the right inner main side wall panel; the left bottom flap panel is perpendicular to the left inner side wall panel and parallel to and secured to the bottom cover panel; the right bottom flap panel is perpendicular to the right inner side wall panel and parallel to and secured to the bottom cover panel; the lid rear wall panel is adjacent to the main rear wall panel and perpendicular to the lid top cover panel; the lid front wall panel is perpendicular to the lid top cover panel; the lid front wall reinforcement panel is parallel to and secured to the lid front wall panel; the left outer lid side wall panel is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel, the lid top cover panel and the lid rear wall panel; the right outer lid side wall panel is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel, the lid top cover panel and the lid rear wall panel; the left inner lid side wall panel is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel, the lid top cover panel, the lid rear wall panel and parallel to and secured to the left outer lid side wall panel; the right inner lid side wall panel is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel, the lid top cover panel, the lid rear wall panel and parallel to and secured to the right outer lid side wall panel; the left lid flap panel is perpendicular to the left inner lid side wall panel and parallel to and secured to the lid top cover panel; and the right lid flap panel is perpendicular to the right inner lid side wall panel and parallel to and secured to the lid top cover panel. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIG 1 is an isometric view of a hinged-lid cigarette pack in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG 2 is another isometric view of the cigarette pack of FIG 1; FIG 3 is a plan view of an cigarette pack blank in accordance with the invention; and FIG 3a is a plan view of an inner frame blank in accordance with the invention; Detailed Description of the Invention The invention provides a hinged-lid cigarette box with fold-in locks to facilitate consistent lid closure. Retention members are provided in the lid of the box or on the inner frame of the box. When these retention members are folded into position and the lid is closed, the folded retention members cause an additional interference between the lid and the inner frame of the box which serves to keep the lid in a closed position. A cigarette pack having extension-type retention members D5 and D6 in accordance with this invention is generally shown in FIG 1. Cigarette pack 300 includes a lower main portion 400, a lid 500, and an inner frame 200 all of conventional paperboard (e.g. 0.305 millimetre, (0.012 inch thick paperboard)). Vertical edges 23, 24, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are rounded or radiused preferably by multiple parallel scoring of the blank. The radius of curvature of edge of these edges may be approximately 4 mm (5/32 inch). Lower main portion 400 has a front wall F, a rear wall D, a double-ply left side wall W1 and a double ply right side wall W2. The inner ply of left side wall W1 forms the inner surface of left side wall W1. The outer ply of left side wall W1 forms the outer surface of left sidewall W1. Likewise, the inner ply of right side wall W2 forms the inner surface of right side wall W2 while the outer ply of right side wall W2 forms the outer surface of right side wall W2. Inner frame 200 has front wall G, left side wall G1 and right side wall G2, all of which have inner and outer surfaces. Lid 500 is typically hinged along hinge line 4 to lower main portion 400. Lid 500 has a double-ply left lid side wall B3 and a double-ply right lid side wall B4, front wall B, and rear wall D7. Lid front wall B and lid rear wall D7 have outer and inner surfaces. The inner ply of left lid side wall B3 forms the inner surface of left lid side wall B3. Likewise, the inner ply of right lid side wall B4 forms the inner surface of right lid side wall B4. Lid front wall B is reinforced by lid front wall reinforcement panel A. Innerframe 200 is attached (e.g. with glue) to the inside of lower main portion 400 and extends at least partially above the tope of lower main portion 400. When lid 500 is closed, it fits down over and completely covers the portion of innerframe 200 which projects above lower main portion 400. Innerframe 200 is a structural member which interferes somewhat with lid 500 as the lid is opened and closed. This interference reduces the risk of the pack opening by accident. Extension-type retention members D5 and D6 are folded inward about hinge lines 19 and 20 respectively, such that they are substantially adjacent to the inner surfaces of lid side walls B3 and B4, respectively, they provide additional interference between the inner surface of lid 500 and the outside surface of innerframe 200 to keep the lid firmly closed and resting on the top of the lower main portion 400 hence keeping the lid from opening accidentally. Slots 21a and 22a are provided in the inner ply of side walls W1 and W2 respectively of lower main portion 400. In the event the box is provided to the consumer with extension-type retention members D5 and D6 in non-operational position, extension-type retention members D5 and D6 fit into slots 21a and 22a respectively when lid 500 is closed. An illustrative cigarette pack with the extension type retention members of the first embodiment folded into operational position is shown in FIG 2. An illustrative box blank 600 constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in plan view in FIG 3. Blank 600 includes the following panels in top to bottom order: lid from wall reinforcement panel A, lid from wall panel B, lid top cover panel C, lid rear wall panel D7, main rear wall panel D, bottom cover panel E, main front wall panel F. The boundaries between these panels are as follows: between panels A and B, score line 1; between panels B and C, score line 2; between panels C and D7, score line 3; between panels D7 and D, score line 4; between panels D and E, score line 5; between panels E and F, score line 6. Score line 4 serves as the hinge line for the lid 500 in the constructed box. Outer main side wall panels F1 and F2 extend from the left and right sides of panel F, respectively. Inner main side wall panels D1 and D2 extend from the left and right sides of panel D, respectively. Inner lid side wall panels D3 and D4 extend from the left and right sides of panel D7, respectively. Outer lid side wall panels B1 and B4 extend from the left and right sides of panel B, respectively. The boundaries between these panels are as follows: between panels F1 and F, score line 7; between panels F and F2, score line 8; between panels D1 and D, score line 9; between panels D and D2, score line 10; between panels D3 and D7, score line 13; between panels D7 and D4, score line 14; between panels B1 and B, score line 11; between panels B and B2, score line 12. Bottom flap panels E1 and E2 extend down from inner main side wall panels D1 and D2, respectively. Lid flap panels C1 and C2 extend up from inner lid side wall panels D3 and D4, respectively. The boundaries between these panels are as follows: between panels E1 and D1, score line 15; between panels E2 and D2, score line 16; between panels C1 and D3, score line 17; between panels C2 and D4, score line 18. Extension-type retention member panels D5 and D6 extend downward from panels D3 and D4, respectively. The boundaries between these panels are as follows: between panels D5 and D3, score line 19; between panels D6 and D4, score line 20. Panels D3 and D5 are separated from panel D1 by cut line 21. Panels D4 and D6 are separated from panel D2 by cut line 22. An illustrative inner frame blank 650 constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in plan view in FIG. 3a. Blank 650 includes the following panels: inner frame left side wall panel G1, inner frame from wall panel G, inner frame right side wall panel G2. The boundaries between these panels are as follows: between panels G1 and G, score line 23; between panels G and G2, score line 24. The folded inner frame blank 650 can be attached (eg., with glue) to the folded box blank 600 as in FIG. 1. When folded and assembled, the illustrative box and inner frame blanks of FIG. 3 and FIG. 3a form a cigarette box in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention. The principles of this invention can be applied to cigarette boxes of any size (e.g., boxes of 10, 14, 20, 35, etc., cigarettes). Although vertical edges 23, 24, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are shown as rounded or radiused, any or all may alternatively be formed as right-angled edges, and the retention feature of the present invention will operate equally well with boxes having right-angled corners. Retention members D5 and D6 are shown as being trapezoidally shaped, but it will be understood that retention members D5 and D6 may be formed in any other convenient shape, such as semicircle, a rectangle, a triangle, etc. Furthermore, any desired number of retention members may be provided. In the first embodiment, retention members may e hinged along the bottom edge of lid front wall B, inner lid side wall D3, inner lid side wall D4, the outer ply of lid side wall B3, or the outer ply of lid side wall B4. Retention members D5 and D6 are shown in the first embodiment as hinged along the lower edges of inner lid side walls D3 and D4, respectively, but retention members may be hinged along the bottom edge of front wall B, the outer ply of lid side wall B3 or outer ply of lid side wall B4 in addition to or instead of retention members D5 and D6. Although lid 500 of the described embodiment is formed fro the same blank as lower main portion 400 and hinged to lower main portion 400, lid 500 need not be formed from the same blank as lower main portion 400. Lid 500 may alternatively be fixed (e.g., with glue) to lower main portion 400 by a member such as a tab. Furthermore, lid 500 need not be joined to outer member lower main portion 400 and alternatively may slide on and off over the inner frame rather than pivoting open and closed along a point of attachment. In the event that the lid slides on and off, retention members can be located elsewhere than on the sides of the pack. In particular, they may alternatively or in addition be located on the front or back of the pack. The described embodiment contemplates a rectangular box. However, a box of any shape can be used (e.g. triangular, circular, pentagonal, octahedral, etc). Thus a hinged-lid cigarette box with fold-in lid locks to facilitate consistent lid closure is provided.

Claims: A pack (300) for cigarettes comprising: a lower main portion (400); an inner frame (200) partly inside at least an upper portion of the lower main portion, at least a portion of the inner frame extending above the lower main portion; and a lid (500), at least one of the inner frame and the lid including retention means (D5, D6) for providing interference between the outer surface of the inner frame and the inner surface of the lid to substantially prevent the lid from inadvertently opening to any degree, characterised in that the retention means comprises at least one tab (D5) (D6) depending from a bottom edge of one of the right side wall (B4) and the left side wall (B3) of the lid (500); the tab can be folded about a hinge-line (19) (20) forming the said bottom edge; and the folded tab is substantially adjacent to the inner surface of one of the front wall, the rear wall, the right side wall and the left side wall of the lid, whereby, when the lid is closed, the tab causes frictional engagement between the lid and the inner frame. A pack (300) according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the substantially vertical corners (7) (8) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (23) (24) formed by the substantially vertical walls (F) (D) (W1) (W2) of the lower main portion (400), the substantially vertical walls (G) (G1) (G2) of the inner frame (200) and the substantially vertical walls (B) (B3) (B4) (D7) of the lid (500) is radiused. A pack (300) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the tab (D5) (D6) is trapezoidal. A pack (300) according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one tab (D5) (D6) depends from each of the side walls (B3) (B4) of the lid (200). A pack (300) according to any preceding claim wherein the tab (D5) (D6) fits between at least one of the substantially vertical walls (D, F, W1, W2) of lower main portion (4)) and one of the substantially vertical walls the (G) (G1) (G2) of the inner frame (2) when the tab has not been folded and the lid (500) is closed. A blank (600) for forming a hinged lid cigarette box according to claim 1 comprising: a lid front wall reinforcement panel (A); a lid front wall panel (B) pivotably attached (1) to the lid front wall reinforcement panel; a lid top cover panel (C) pivotably attached (2) to the lid front wall panel; a lid rear wall panel (D2) pivotably attached (3) to the lid top cover panel; a main rear wall panel (D) pivotably attached (4) to the lid rear wall panel; a bottom cover panel (E) pivotably attached (5) to the main rear wall panel; a main front wall panel (F) pivotably (6) attached to the bottom cover panel; a left outer main side wall panel (F1) foldably attached (7) to the main front wall panel; a right outer main side wall panel (F2) foldably attached (8) to the main front wall panel; a left inner main side wall panel (D1) foldably attached to (9) to the main rear wall panel and having a top (21) and a bottom (15) edge; a right inner main side wall panel (D2) foldably attached (10) to the main rear wall panel and having a top (22) and a bottom (16) edge; a left inner lid side wall panel (D3) foldably attached (13) to the lid rear wall panel and having a top (17) and a bottom (19) edge; a right inner lid side wall panel (D4) foldably attached (14) to the lid rear wall panel and having a top (18) and a bottom (20) edge; a left outer lid side wall panel (B1) foldably attached (11) to the lid front wall panel; a right outer lid side wall panel (B2) foldably attached (12) to the lid front wall panel; a left bottom flap panel (E1) pivotably attached to the bottom edge of the left inner main side wall panel; a right bottom flap panel (E2) pivotably attached to the bottom edge of the right inner main side wall panel; a left lid flap panel (C1) pivotably attached (17) to the top edge of the left inner lid side wall panel; and a right lid flap panel (C2) pivotably attached (18) to the top edge of the right inner lid side wall panel; a left retention tab (D5) pivotably attached (19) to the bottom edge of the left inner lid side wall panel (D3) and formed by cutting out a portion of the left inner main side wall panel (D1); and a right retention tab (D6) pivotably attached (20) to the bottom edge of the right inner lid side wall panel (D4) and formed by cutting out a portion of the right inner main side wall panel (D2); wherein: the left retention tab (D5), when folded, is parallel to and abutted against the left inner lid side wall panel (D3); the right retention tab (D6), when folded, is parallel to and abutted against the right inner lid side wall panel (D4); whereby the blank is capable of being folded into a three-dimensional configuration such that: the left inner main side wall panel (D1) is perpendicular to the main rear wall panel (D) and to the main front wall panel (F) and parallel to and secured to the left outer main side wall panel (F1); the right inner main side wall panel (D2) is perpendicular to the main rear wall panel (D) and to the main front wall panel (F) and parallel to and secured to the right outer main side wall panel (F2); the bottom cover panel (E) is perpendicular to the main front wall panel (F), the main rear wall panel (D), the left inner main side wall panel (D1) and the right inner main side wall panel (D2); the left bottom flap panel (E1) is perpendicular to the left inner side wall panel (D1) and parallel to and secured to the bottom cover panel (E); the right bottom flap panel (E2) is perpendicular to the right inner side wall panel (D2) and parallel to and secured to the bottom cover panel (E); the lid rear wall panel (D7) is adjacent to the main rear wall panel (D) and perpendicular to the lid top cover panel (C); the lid front wall panel (B) is perpendicular to the lid top cover panel (C); the lid front wall reinforcement panel (A) is parallel to and secured to the lid front wall panel (B); the left outer lid side wall panel (B1) is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel (B), the lid top cover panel (C) and the lid rear wall panel (D7); the right outer lid side wall panel (B2) is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel (B), the lid top cover panel (C) and the lid rear wall panel (D7); the left inner lid side wall panel (D3) is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel (B), the lid top cover panel (C), the lid rear wall panel (D7) and parallel to and secured to the left outer lid side wall panel (B1); the right inner lid side wall panel (D4) is perpendicular to the lid front wall panel (B), the lid top cover panel (C), the lid rear wall panel (D7) and parallel to and secured to the right outer lid side wall panel (B2); the left lid flap panel (C1) is perpendicular to the left inner lid side wall panel (D3) and parallel to and secured to the lid top cover panel (C); and the right lid flap panel (C2) is perpendicular to the right inner lid side wall panel (D4) and parallel to and secured to the lid top cover panel (C). A hinged-lid cigarette box according to any of claims 1 to 5 having vertical corners formed by inserting into the three-dimensional configuration formed by folding the blank (600) according to claim 6 a three-dimensional inner frame formed by folding an inner frame blank (650) comprising; an inner frame front wall panel (G) having a top and a bottom edge; an inner frame left side wall panel (G1) foldably attached (23) to the inner frame front wall panel; and an inner frame right side wall panel (G2) foldably attached (24) to the inner frame front wall panel, wherein: the inner frame left side wall panel is perpendicular to the inner frame front wall panel; the inner frame right side wall panel is perpendicular to the inner frame front wall panel; the inner frame front wall panel is parallel to and secured to the main front wall panel (F); the inner frame left side wall panel is parallel to and secured to the left inner main side wall panel (D1); and the inner frame right side wall panel is parallel to and secured to the right inner main side wall panel (D2). A hinged-lid cigarette box according to claim 7 wherein the vertical corners are radiused.

Inventors: PHAM XUAN M, PHAM, XUAN M.
Applicants: PHILIP MORRIS PROD, PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: B65D5, B65D85